Be storm ready this spring

March in Denton County was warm and wet; so wet that it erased our previous two months of drought. We paid a price for that extra moisture, though, with several outbreaks of severe weather.

March also lived up to its reputation for its wide range of temperatures. We topped out at 87 degrees on March 14th, and touched 30 degrees a week later on the 21st, making it our last official freeze of the season. Our day/night monthly average temperature of 57 degrees was two degrees warmer than normal.

Rainfall was plentiful, especially during the second week of March. Enterprise Airport recorded 3.49″ on the 7th and 8th, .30″ on the 9th, .14″ on the 10th, .25″ on the 11th and .85 on the 12th for a total of 4.93″ over the 6-day stretch. We picked up another .52″ on the 17th and .17″ on the 23rd. Barely a trace was recorded on the 30th, leaving us with an unofficial monthly total of 5.72″, over 2 inches above normal. So far this year, we’ve recorded 7.64 inches of rain, compared to our 3-month climate norm of 7.20″.

Reservoirs are okay, although the Army Corps of Engineers continues to drain Lewisville Lake, flooding the Elm Fork floodplain, to leave headroom for more heavy spring rains. On April 6th, Congressmen Michael Burgess and Pete Sessions were scheduled to publicly tour the Lewisville Lake Dam, as the Corps considers what to do about land slumps and underground leaks that may be compromising the dam’s safety.

Severe storms threatened parts of Denton County on at least three days during the month. On March 7th, a weak EF-0 tornado touched down in the Colony, while other wind damage was reported in Flower Mound. Quarter to golf ball hail fell near Sanger and west of Denton on the 16th. Quarter-size to ping pong ball-size hail struck Flower Mound and Lewisville on the 22nd.

April’s average high temperature reaches 80 by the end of the month. April is also one of our stormiest months. The Climate Prediction Center expects normal temperatures but above-normal rainfall, which may hint at more frequent storms during April.

Please permit me to promote two free upcoming events that can improve your family’s odds of surviving a severe storm event. Congressman Michael Burgess is hosting a public Emergency Preparedness Summit at Aubrey High School on Saturday, April 23, from 8 a.m. until noon. Denton County Emergency Services, Aubrey Police and Fire Departments and Providence Village are co-sponsoring the event, at which I am honored to participate again this year. One week later, April 30th, WBAP sponsors “WeatherCon” at the Frontiers of Flight Museum on Lemmon Avenue near Dallas Love Field from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both events will have numerous displays, demonstrations and stage presentations and are open to the public, including free admission to the Frontiers of Flight Museum April 30th. We hope to see you there!

Brad Barton is Chief Meteorologist of WBAP 820/570 KLIF/99.5 The Wolf and Home Field Meteorologist for the Texas Rangers Baseball Club.